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As Jamie watched Richard hoist Jan Maas off the ground in joy, he had to admit that the third Richmond Secret Santa was the best one yet. The first was pretty good, but everyone was nervous enough that they all gave each other booze. That, and Jamie had misunderstood the concept a bit, though Bumbercatch hadn’t minded the hastily wrapped bourbon. The second was pretty sweet, especially as Zava had gone by then (something Jamie considered his present from the universe that year), but the losing streak that followed cast a bit of a grey cloud.
This year, though, was perfect: They’d won the Premiere League, and the Champions, and Ted had decided to bring Henry to him and enroll him in a football academy in London, and Roy and Keeley got back together, and Roy and Nate had taken over the new women’s side which was kicking ass, so everyone was just … happy, all the time. It definitely made the holidays a bit better, which Jamie appreciated as his own were a bit glum.
But the team party was awesome. He’d gotten Isaac a set of vintage straight razors, which has almost made the center back cry, and Sam had gotten him some wicked headphones, with noise-canceling and 2 days of use on one charge, because he always forgot to plug his in. Really, Jamie’s only complaint was that he hadn’t pulled Dani for Secret Santa, ‘cause he knew just what to give him, and how happy he’d be. Still, though, he knew no one would be mad he got Dani an extra present, them being best mates and all; same as Colin and Isaac. Though Isaac had been giving Colin some looks that made him wonder about them being just friends.
As the party broke up, and Ted reminded everyone of their next game on Thursday, so go easy on the Christmas champagne, Jamie made his way over to the striker. “Feliz Navidad, muchacho."
Dani turned to him, his long hair loose and still a bit damp, and gave him his smile that Jamie always thought could put the sun outta business if Dani wanted. “Gracias, Jamie! And Happy Christmas to you, too!”
Jamie found himself pulled into a tight hug, and relaxed as the familiar scent of Dani’s smoky body wash wafted over him. “Hey, don’t tell nobody, but I got you something.” He handed over his gift, a little embarrassed by the clumsy wrapping, but Dani didn’t seem to care as he tore it open.
A sharp breath left the other man like a punch. He lifted the DVD set up, checking to see if it was what he thought it was. “ El Corazón del Sol ?” The telenovela aired in the late 90s in Mexico, or so Dani had told him, and it hadn’t been very popular, but his mom loved it. She loved it so much she recorded every episode, and still had the 200-plus VHS tapes, and the Rojas family was raised on the show.
Jamie began to fidget with his earring. “Well, I remember you saying that you missed it, because it was your family’s go-to comfort show, and it turns out they did a limited DVD run a couple years ago. An eBay auction later and here you go.” It had actually taken 7 auctions, because it became something of a cult hit in the last decade, but Dani didn’t need to know that.
He found himself in another, tighter hug, with Dani rambling in Spanish in his ear. Jamie didn’t mind, enjoying how the language sounded, though he only knew enough to pick up a few words: amigo, amore, mi vida .
“You will watch it with me, si ?” Dani grasped his shoulders and looked at him. “ El Corazón del Sol is best seen with those you love.”
Jamie shrugged. “Of course, muchacho. Bring it on the roadie and we can watch it on the bus.” Truth be told, it sounded pretty good— like Coronation Street , and that was always best when he could call his mum after and chat about the new episodes.
“Ah!” Dani let out a gasp and dove into his locker. “You got me such a good gift, I almost forgot! I got this for you!”
Dani thrust a box at him. Unlike his, it was wrapped with careful neatness, but it was also covered with three kinds of ribbon and at least seven bows. From anyone else, Jamie would think it looked tacky, but from Dani, he knew it was his mate's exuberance for everything shining through. He opened the box carefully, not wanting Dani’s work to go to waste, and when he saw what was in it, he nearly choked.
“Dani, mate… is this a Menendez jersey?” Not many people knew about Jamie’s love for Javi Menendez. He was a playmaker from the 90s, overlooked because he made everyone around him shine instead of hogging the glory for himself. Now that he thought about it, he’d only ever told Dani that he was his favorite player.
“ Si .” Dani nodded like the raven-haired golden retriever he was. “He was at a game when I last played for Mexico, so I asked if he had one I could give to a friend. And look!” Dani picked the jersey up so Jamie could see the bottom, with a dark scrawl on it. “He even signed it first.”
“You got me a present when you were in full Rani Dojas mode?” Jamie asked, wanting to be sure. “You’d normally slit every one of our throats for a Kit Kat when you’re playing for Mexico.”
Dani blushed and absently rubbed at his hair. “I am sure it is not that bad.”
“Mate, it really is.” Jamie knew better than anyone, as he followed Dani’s Rani Dojas moments very carefully, if only because it was kind of extremely hot. “Thanks so much for this.”
Of course, mi amigo .” Dani reached out and clapped him on the arm. “Now, you need to hurry, or you’ll miss the train to Manchester.”
“Hmm?” Jamie frowned, realizing he hadn’t mentioned his change of plans to his teammates. “Oh, I ain’t going this year. Mum and Phillip booked a 10 year anniversary cruise, so we’re getting together in January instead.”
Dani looked at him, the dismay clear in his eyes, but Jamie cut him off. “Oi, it's no big deal. It’s just a day. Who cares if I'm alone?”
Jamie tried to be cool as he walked out to his car, but from Dani’s muttering, he cared quite a bit.
That was probably why Jamie wasn’t that surprised to see Dani standing on his doorstep instead of his takeaway. “Happy Christmas, mate, but what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be on your way to Higgins’?”
“Yes, I am.” The striker nodded firmly, with a big grin. “And you’re coming too!”
Jamie shook his head. “Mate, Higgin’s party is for the international players, and Manchester ain’t a different country.”
Dani muttered something under his breath about all England being different countries, but then sighed and reached in for Jamie’s hat and coat. “It is for players who cannot be with their family. And this year, that means you, too, Jamie Tartt.”
Jamie could feel the fight leaving his body. It would be nice to spend time with the blokes, and Higgins’ parties have become legendary, so he slipped on his coat. Still… “I ain’t got anything to bring. And if I show up empty-handed, me mum will teleport from Gibraltar to yell at me for being a bad guest and making people think she didn’t raise me right.”
He’d barely gotten his gloves on before finding his hands full of a large bowl. Dani picked the other off the ground, where he’d apparently set them to ring the bell.
“You helped me make the ponche navideno , remember?.” Dani shrugged as he ushered Jamie to his rideshare. “Otherwise I wouldn’t have had time to make the double batch and let them sit properly.”
He had, the two changing their usual FIFA night to “Fuck, Christmas in in three days and I have a shitton left to do” night. Jamie had done quite a bit of the fruit slicing and juicing while Dani finished wrapping his presents for his local friends.
It were probably the best night Jamie had had in a while; just spending time with Dani as the other man fought with tape and Jamie had fight his instincts to put a lemon in the mix because he knew that limon meant limes, but he didn’t quite believe it. Later, as they curled up on the sofa, a pile of presents under the tree and the air smelling like spiced fruit, Jamie introduced his friend to The Muppet Christmas Carol , making jokes about Roy laughing like a muppet, he asked why Dani had wanted to make the punch so early.
The other man had nestled in closer, whispering in his ear so as to not be louder than the movie’s opening strains. “Some things are best hot and fresh, with no waiting. But others are better when you let them sit for a little first. Let everything settle together and mix, you know?”
Jamie smiled. “Yeah, I know. Kinda like us, yeah? We didn’t get along at first, but once we sat a bit, we became the best strikers in the League.”
Dani had punched at Jamie half-heartedly. “And best friends.”
“I thought football were life, muchacho .” Jamie tugged the other man in closer, enjoying the heat the Mexican always seemed to give off, like he carried his home’s warmth in himself always.
“ Si, it is.” Dani agreed. “But it’s not all of life.” Suddenly, Dani shot upright. “You did not put the tequila in the ponche, did you? Because if you don't put it in last minute, it's the only thing you can taste.”
“No, I didn’t put in any tequila. I can actually read a recipe.” Jamie huffed. “Now, quiet, you’re missing Kermit.”
Jamie was jolted out of his memories as his and Dani’s Lyft pulled up to the Higgins’. As they made their way to the door, Jamie had a quick thought. “Hey, amigo. Which one of these isn’t spiked?”.
Dani even didn’t have to say anything, Jamie knew his guilty look so well. “Mate, you know that's why Higgins asked you to bring two! Didn’t one of his kids try to ride his surfboard down the stairs last year?”
“Yes, I know!” Dani whined. “But it’s not the same without tequila. And I made two kinds, one classic and one adventure, and they both are so much better pre-cheekied.”
“You ain’t wrong.” Jamie agreed in a fervent whisper. “But what are we going to say when Higgins’ kids get pissed again?”
Suddenly the door opened, Mrs Higgins looking delighted to see them. “The ponche! And Dani! And Jamie!” She added hastily. “Not going home this year?”
“Er, no. Me parents are on a cruise.” Jamie explained in mild confusion as Julie Higgins practically ripped the bowl from his hands.
“Poor lamb! I’m glad you decided to come here. Christmas is no time to be alone.” She ripped the tin foil off and took a deep breath. “This is the pre-cheekied one, I can smell but,”
At that, she leaned in closer, speaking in a hushed tone. “I’ve got some tequila for the other one. Don’t tell Leslie!” At that, she rushed back into the house, cradling the drink like a newborn child.
He and Dani’s eyes met. “So, we’re blaming Julie for that?” Jamie gestured at the bowl still in Dani’s hands.
“Oh, absolutely.” Dani agreed. “Now, hurry, or we’ll miss the nerf fight!”
By the end of the evening, Jamie couldn’t figure out why he hadn’t thought of coming to the Richmond party. He, Dani, Zoreaux, Richard, and Sam had teamed up against the Higgins boys for a nerf war for the ages. When Dani had taken a nerf dart to the heart to protect him, Jamie thought his own might break at seeing Dani “dead”, until he popped back up and went to chat with Richard’s date now that he was out.
That didn’t make Jamie feel any better, though he knew he was being unfair. Sophie was a lovely person, but he kept feeling annoyed at how much she kept circling around Dani, until Dani waved him over to show him some pictures of Sophie wrapped around a woman who looked remarkably like Dani.
“That’s my sister Marisol.” He practically had to shout over the din. “She and Sophie met at a show in Milan in June. Marisol offered to have her visit but-”
Sophie nodded. “I have gigs, so I couldn’t go home to Scotland, let alone Guadalajara. Richard knew that and asked me to come, and I jumped at the chance to be with people. Everyone always says such good things about Richmond’s parties. Beatrice Cuney even met her boyfriend last year!” She pointed at Zoreaux’s girlfriend, who was playing FIFA with Jan Maas.
His jealousy had promptly vanished, and he and Sophie had spent the next couple of hours swapping stories about the Rojas siblings. By the time dinner was served, Jamie was pleasantly tipsy, and when faced with a lack of chairs, had opted to simply sit on Dani’s lap and share a plate. He weren’t the only one, as enough international players had brought their partners that even with the rented tables, they were still short about half-dozen places. So Bea had sat on Zoreaux, Simi on Sam, Jamie on Dani, and everyone else squeezed a bit tighter.
Jamie didn’t mind at all. He and Dani often shared food, splitting orders to try more options. Passing a lone fork back and forth and sometimes feeding each other felt like a natural extension of that, like this is how it was meant to be.
When Ted, Henry, and Rebecca had shown up, bearing desserts, music, and tales of charity, it seemed like the perfect ending to a perfect day, especially when a light dusting of snow started to come down. Many of the players enjoyed the frosty weather for a moment, but also took it as a sign to leave before the roads got too slick and Ubers too hard to find.
Higgins had already told everyone he’d bring their bowls and plates, freshly washed, to their next practice rather than try to sort everything out in a mad scramble, so he wasn’t shocked when Dani told him he’d just walk home. “I live close,” he murmured as they swayed to the jazzy tunes. “So it’s easier to do empty-handed.”
“Fine, but I’m coming with you.” Jamie murmured. At Dani’s confused look, he explained. “Mate, You had a bit to much of Julie’s re-cheekied ponche. You’re practically falling down, and if you freeze to death, the fans will kill me for letting it happen.”
Dani pulled away, but only to give Jamie a massive grin. “I certainly will not argue at more time with you, Jamie Tartt. Maybe you can stay over and I can show you El Corazon Del Sol ?”
“Sounds good, amigo .” Jamie tugged on Dani’s hand and the two headed towards Dani’s flat.
The ten-minute walk took a bit closer to twenty. Jamie might have had less to drink than Dani, but he still had a bit of trouble staying upright. Still, they eventually got to Dani’s flat, practically falling through the door once Dani managed to unlock it. They tossed their coats in the direction of Dani’s coatrack, feeling too good and relaxed to worry if they actually got onto it.
“You start the TV, si? And I will get us some snacks!” Dani stumbled off, Jamie smiling fondly as Dani slid into a wall, still grinning as he went. He went over to Dani’s entertainment system, turning his TV on and kicking it over to the Blu-Ray player with familiar ease. As he loaded the first DVD, the box left on the coffee table in a place of honor, Jamie turned to settle down on the couch. However, a picture on Dani’s wall caught his eye.
Jamie supposed he’d seen it before; he was here at at least once a week. But then he was with Dani, and when Dani’s around, he doesn’t really notice much else. How could he, when Dani’s hair and Dani’s smile and Dani’s joy at everything around him was there to be seen instead? But Dani wasn’t here now; he was in the kitchen, mumbling in Spanish as he tried to find something, so Jamie could look at the photo.
It was of the two of them. Jamie wasn’t sure when, but he guessed it was from Milan after they won the Champions. They were wrapped around each other, Jamie’s hand under Dani’s chin and stroking his face, and Dani’s smile was somehow more stunning than it usually was, a spark of something extra that made Jamie lose his breath all over again.
“It’s a nice picture, yes?” Jamie jumped at Dani’s voice. “Bumbercatch sent it to me after we won.”
Dani put down the champagne bottle and flutes he was holding before coming over to Jamie. He wrapped his arms around Jamie’s middle and tucked his chin over his shoulder. “I do not remember any of that night, but it makes me happy to know I was with you.”
Suddenly, everything in Jamie boiled over. Dani, his charm, his sweetness, his smile, his abs, his insistence on not leaving Jamie alone, how much Jamie loved to just be near him, how Dani’s presence made everything better and brighter, how he didn’t like it when Dani paid attention to anyone else; it all came bubbling up. So Jamie gave into his instincts, turned ‘round, and gave Dani the biggest, deepest kiss he’d ever given anyone.
The good news is that Dani kissed him back just as hard. The bad news was that Dani was still a bit wobbly, so they ended up careening backwards onto the sofa. Of course, “horizontal against Dani Rojas” wasn’t exactly a bad position to end up in, so Jamie figured that it should probably be considered the other good news.
“ Te amo , Jamie Tartt.” Dani murmured, running his hands over his back and arse as Jamie sucked and bit at the long line of Dani’s throat. “ Te quiero. Te deseo, mi vida.”
“ I love you, too, mi sol. More than I’ve ever loved anyone. More than football.” Jamie confessed, brushing Dani’s long hair out of his eyes. “But why didn’t you say nothing earlier?”
Dani shrugged. “It did not matter. Not that my love for you did not matter.” He clarified as Jamie pulled back, hurt by the insinuation. “But it did not matter if you loved me back. As long as I could be near you, it was enough. Though I am very glad you do, mi amor .”
“I’d laugh at you, but I always thought the same about you. Thank god for Christmas or we probably never would have figured it out. Now, my love,” Jamie reached between them, running his hand down Dani’s chest before taking a handful of what lay below it. “How about we move this to your bedroom?”
With an offended gasp, Dani shot upright, knocking Jamie onto the floor. “But what about El Corazon? And the champagne and the candies?”
He gestured at the huge box under his tree. “My mama sent me cajeta and tamarindo and mazapan and proper chocolate with spices!”
Jamie wanted to argue, to finally put his hands and mouth on the sumptuous man in front of him instead of the sweets behind him, but he couldn’t. Watching a telenovela while drinking champagne and trying new candies as Dani excitedly told him about the memories he had of each one sounded almost as good as sex. Almost.
“Fine.” He huffed out. “But only because it’s Christmas so nothing counts today. And we fuck after.”
Dani looked offended at that. “Of course we’re going to fuck later. Your ass is a gift from God! My priest keeps telling me otherwise, but I don't listen to him.”
With a grin, Jamie grabbed the candy box— crate, more like— and rejoined his boyfriend on the couch. At least, he hoped Dani was his boyfriend. As the credits ran, Jamie settled down alongside Dani, enjoying being able to press themselves together fully instead of having to hide certain parts. “Hey, Dani,” he began as the camera panned over a street in Mexico City. “We’re dating now, right? You’re mi novio ?”
To his horror, he could feel Dani shaking his head. “No, I don’t think so. ”Boyfriend“ is too childish. You are the air in my lungs, the blood in my heart, but that’s a bit much for every day? Pareja? ”.
Jamie pushed himself up to stare at Dani’s shit-eating smirk. “That ain’t funny, love.”
Dani stuck his tongue out. “It was a little funny , mi amor .”
He found less amusement in Jamie punching his nuts, but let Jamie sprawl back on top of him without complaint. “Now, pay attention, mi vida. This is my favorite character, Simon.”
Dani pointed at a teenager kicking around a football. “He becomes best friends with the new boy, Alejandro, but Alejandro is secretly gay and falls in love with Simon, who doesn’t care but isn’t gay, but when people begin harassing Alejandro he pretends to come out to protect him, but when Alejandro starts dating a different boy, Pablo, he starts to get jealous…”
Jamie leaned back and let Dani’s sexy, soothing accent wash over him, alongside the bubbles from the champagne and sweet and spicy tastes from the candy. He could hardly imagine a better Christmas than this.
The next day, Jamie woke up to pounding. Some of it was in his head, but, to his surprise, a lot of it seemed to be coming from the front door. He slipped out of bed, doing his best not to disturb his partner. Dani, to the shock of everyone who’d ever roomed with him on a road trip, was not a morning person. He was so not a morning person that heavy things had to be taken from his side of the room so he didn’t throw them when he got woken up.
He tossed on a pair of boxers from the floor and hurried to the door, desperate to get there before his Latin lover became the Incredible Hulk. “What?” He barked as quietly as he could while wrenching the door open. “Roy?”
It was indeed Roy Kent at the door, dressed for the early morning practices he and Jamie had kept up.
“You’re late. You owe me an extra 30 minutes of cardio.” Roy said, as if everything was normal, which was weird as hell.
“What are you even doing here?” Jamie could feel his brain trying and failing to turn on as he spoke.
“Training.” Came the reply, tinged with frustration it needed to be said. “It’s Thursday, and I know you went off your diet plan for Christmas.”
“Yeah, but,” Jamie gestured around himself. “This is Dani’s place.”
“I know, so lets get a move on before he wakes up and kills us.” Roy tossed a headlamp at Jamie.
“How’d you even know I were here?” Jamie was missing something, he knew it. He just didn’t know what.
Roy gave him a disbelieving look. “You got each other extra gifts for Christmas, helped each other’s Christmas plans and showed up and left Higgins’ party together.”
“So?” Jamie asked. “Isaac and Colin do all that and they’re not together. Yet.”
Roy gave a massive sigh. “Dani also mixed up your conversation with the group chat. Keeley’s going to be giving you the ‘beware of nudes’ talk again.”
At that, Jamie grabbed his phone from the hall table where he’d thrown it last night. As Roy hinted, there were several pictures in the AFC Richmond chat of him and Dani in, erm, compromising positions.
“Bloody hell.” He mumbled, scrolling through them. “I knew Dani were taking pics, but I didn’t know he were that good. I mean, look at this!”
He showed Roy one of himself, Dani’s cock thrusting into him as he twisted his head to the side in ecstasy. “This belongs in a fucking gallery! Look how the lights glistening off me!”
Roy closed his eyes and let out a long “Fuuuuuuuuck.” He inhaled again. “Just for that, Rojas is joining us. ROJAS!” He shouted into the apartment. They heard angry Spanish swearing and a loud thud, so Dani was definitely awake. “Get dressed! You’re coming with me and Tartt!”
Roy began to push inside to wait for Dani to appear. “And don’t think dating a teammate means lifting the ban on sex before matches.”
Jamie paused, thinking about the lean, sexy man that was now his. “Yeah, that ain’t happening.”
Roy stopped and growled. “It is if you’re too tired to fuck, and I’ll make sure you are.”
Faced with that nightmare scenario, Jamie did the only thing he could: shove an unprepared Roy Kent out the door. “Sorry, mate. I've got cardio to work on.” He told a flabbergasted Roy as he slammed the door and threw the locks. “Dani, darling, stay there. Me training is canceled this morning.”
He opened the bedroom to find a deliciously rumpled Dani Rojas waiting for him. “It’s a Christmas miracle.”
“Boxing Day.” Jamie corrected. “But that's not the miracle here.”
“Very true, mi vida .” Dani agreed. “The miracle is love.”
“I were thinking of your cock, but you’re probably right.” Jamie shucked his, really Dani’s, boxers off, before joining his sweetheart in bed. “Love actually is all around at Christmas."
With that, he gave Dani a sincere, passionate kiss, their smiles breaking through. He reached up and brushed Dani's hair away from his face, tenderness and warmth radiating from him. "Also, you accidently texted the whole team our sex pics. Happy Christmas!"